The European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) has released the draft EN IEC 62115-2:2026, introducing new requirements for electronic toys with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity, voice interaction, and AI learning capabilities. The regulation, set to take effect in Q3 2026, will impact manufacturers and exporters of smart baby toys, including rattles, educational robots, and connected baby monitors. This development is particularly relevant for Chinese exporters targeting the EU market, as compliance with CE-RED, EN IEC 62115-2, and GDPR will become mandatory.

Event Overview

On April 5, 2026, CENELEC published the draft EN IEC 62115-2:2026, which introduces stricter electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), cybersecurity, and data privacy requirements for smart baby toys. The new standard will become mandatory in the third quarter of 2026, affecting products such as smart rattles, early education robots, and connected baby monitors.

Impacted Sub-Sectors

Direct Exporters

Manufacturers and exporters of smart baby toys to the EU will face increased compliance costs and testing requirements. Products must now meet EN IEC 62115-2 alongside CE-RED and GDPR standards, potentially delaying market entry.

Supply Chain and Component Suppliers

Suppliers of Wi-Fi/Bluetooth modules, voice recognition chips, and AI-enabled components will need to ensure their products align with the new EMC and cybersecurity requirements. This may lead to redesigns or additional testing for critical components.

Compliance Testing Services

Testing laboratories and certification bodies will see increased demand for EN IEC 62115-2 assessments. However, they must first obtain accreditation to perform these evaluations, creating a potential bottleneck in the certification process.

Key Considerations and Actions

Monitor Regulatory Updates

Companies should track the final publication of EN IEC 62115-2 and any transitional provisions. The current draft may undergo revisions before becoming mandatory.

Assess Product Portfolio

Manufacturers must identify which products fall under the new scope and prioritize compliance efforts for high-volume or high-margin items. Early education robots and connected monitors appear most affected.

Review Supply Chain Compliance

Component sourcing strategies may need adjustment to ensure suppliers can provide parts meeting the updated EMC and cybersecurity standards. This is particularly critical for wireless communication modules.

Prepare for Combined Testing

Since products must comply with multiple regulations simultaneously (CE-RED, EN IEC 62115-2, GDPR), companies should plan for integrated testing approaches to reduce time and cost impacts.

Industry Perspective

From an industry viewpoint, this regulation represents the EU's continued focus on child safety in connected devices. While the standards aim to address legitimate concerns about data privacy and electromagnetic safety, they may create temporary market access challenges. The regulation should be viewed as part of a broader trend toward stricter IoT device requirements, particularly for products targeting vulnerable user groups.

Conclusion

The EN IEC 62115-2 update signals the EU's commitment to safer smart toys but presents immediate compliance challenges for manufacturers. Companies exporting to the EU should treat this as an urgent priority, given the 2026 enforcement timeline. The regulation's impact extends beyond simple technical compliance, potentially reshaping product design approaches for connected child-oriented devices.

Sources

1. CENELEC EN IEC 62115-2:2026 draft publication (April 5, 2026)
2. Ongoing monitoring of EU Official Journal for final publication date